Arsenic in apple juice . It 's a scary statement -- one that 's received a lot of attention in recent years , although some say the concern is unwarranted .

After prodding from consumer groups , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has conducted their own investigation and is proposing a maximum limit for arsenic levels in apple juice . The FDA plans to limit the amount of inorganic arsenic to 10 parts per billion -- the same amount the Environmental Protection Agency allows in drinking water .

This is the first time the FDA has set limits for arsenic levels in food or drink products . The move comes two years after an episode of `` The Dr. Oz Show '' raised public concern about the amount of arsenic in children 's apple juice . The show tested three dozen samples of five brands of juice and found some contained arsenic levels between 11 and 36 parts per billion . Shortly after , Consumer Reports released a study that analyzed 88 samples of apple and grape juice . The researchers found about 10 % of the samples had arsenic levels higher than 10 parts per billion .

There are two types of arsenic : inorganic and organic . Inorganic arsenic has been classified as a human carcinogen by the EPA . The FDA describes organic , or naturally-occurring arsenic as `` essentially harmless . ''

`` This chemical element is found in the Earth 's crust , '' Michael Taylor , the FDA 's deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine , wrote on the government agency 's blog . `` It 's everywhere in the environment and can be found in water , air and soil , in both organic and inorganic forms . Human activities also can introduce arsenic into the environment . ''

Although the FDA 's new rules are not yet in effect , the agency says parents should n't be worried . Last year they analyzed the arsenic levels in 94 samples of apple juice . The analysis showed that 95 % of the samples tested were below 10 parts per billion for both organic and inorganic arsenic ; 100 % of the samples were below 10 parts per billion for inorganic arsenic .

`` Apple juice producers , as well as the FDA , want people to know they can be confident that apple juice is safe , '' Rick Cristol , president of the Juice Products Association , said in a statement , noting that juice companies routinely test their products .

`` Arsenic is a naturally occurring element in the environment and may be found in the air , soil and water . It is commonly found in harmless , trace amounts in many crops and naturally sourced foods . Humans have been exposed to it for thousands of years . ''

Long-term exposure to arsenic , which is odorless and tasteless , has been linked to cancer of the bladder , skin , kidney , nasal passages , liver and prostate , according to the EPA . Scientists also know that arsenic can affect the nervous system , causing headaches , numbness and tremors , and can damage your blood vessels . There is also some evidence that frequent exposure could lower children 's IQ levels , the CDC says .

The association also notes in the statement that holding apple juice to the same arsenic guidelines as drinking water is n't appropriate because people consume more water on a regular basis .

In 2011 , Consumer Reports released a study that analyzed 88 samples of apple and grape juice . The researchers found about 10 % of the samples -- including ones from well-known brands -- had arsenic levels higher than 10 parts per billion . Consumers Union , the publisher of Consumer Reports , has advocated since then for a 3 parts per billion limit but said in a statement that it is happy with the FDA 's `` reasonable first step . ''

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies under 6 months of age not drink any type of juice , and that children 1 to 6 years old should have no more than 4 to 6 ounces a day .

The FDA has to accept public comments on their proposal for 60 days before these recommendations can be implemented .

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The FDA proposes new limits for amounts of inorganic arsenic allowed in apple juice

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This is the first time the FDA has set limits for arsenic levels in food or drink products

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Long-term exposure to arsenic has been linked to various forms of cancer